Mr. George F. Dugger, Jr., 82, of Elizabethton, passed away on Sunday, February 13, 2011 at the Hermitage Health Center. He was the son of the late George F. Dugger, Sr., and Rena Hyder Dugger and was born in Carter County.
Mr. Dugger was a 1946 graduate of Elizabethton High School and a 1950 graduate of Milligan College where he played football for all four years. Following college he served in the United States Army for two years during the Korean Conflict. Following his service he returned to his education at the University of Tennessee where he went to law school. He began his career as an attorney in Elizabethton in 1955 and in 1962 established the law practice of Dugger and Cole. He served as the Carter County attorney from 1958-1962 and again from 1982-2006. He was also a member of the Tennessee Bar Association with fifty years of service and was a Senior Counselor. Mr. Dugger was a member of the American Legion Post #49 for fifty years. He was a member of the Elizabethton Golf Course and he played golf year round. He was an avid fan of UT sports and the Atlanta Braves baseball team. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Elizabethton.
He is survived by his wife of fifty-four years, Jane Hensley Dugger of the home; a daughter and son-in-law, Kathryn Dugger-Edwards and her husband, Keith, Elizabethton; a son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Vickie Dugger, Johnson City; two grandchildren, Brett Baurle and his wife, Leslie, Elizabethton; Dr. Eric Baurle and his wife, Sarah, Brentwood, TN; four great-grandchildren, Macy Baurle, Elizabethton; Everett Baurle, Brentwood; Andrew Willis and Harrison Willis, both of Elizabethton; three nephews, the Honorable John F. Dugger, Jr. and his wife, Jean Ann, Morristown; Michael Fouts and Tommy Fouts, both of Elizabethton; a sister-in-law, Peggy Barkley Dugger, Morristown, and a niece, Jerrie Sue Bowers and her husband, Jim Schweitzer, Jonesborough.
The funeral service for Mr. Dugger will be conducted on Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at 7:00 PM in the Riverside Chapel of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton with Rev. Lauri Jo Cranford officiating. Music will be under the direction of David and Becky Hale. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from 5:00 – 7:00 PM and at the residence at other times.
The graveside service and interment will be conducted on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at 10:00 AM at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be J.C. Campbell, Brett Baurle, Jeff Anderson, Don McKeehan, Mike Fouts, Tommy Fouts, Mike Lingerfelt and Dr. Eric Baurle. Honorary pallbearers will be Truman Clark, Bill Broome, Wayne Holtsclaw, Charlie Bayless, Ralph Cole, Judges of the 1ST Judicial District, members and employees of the Carter County Bar Association, all past and present officials of Carter County, Carmon Dugger, Howard Matherly, Richard Edens, Gerald Poats, and the office staff of Dugger and Cole: Gail Brummitt, Dawn Sheffield, June Collins and Kristi Norris Johnson.
Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, Northeast, 207 North Boone Street, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601 or the First United Methodist Church, 325 East E Street, Elizabethton, Tennessee 37643.
The family would like to express a special thank you to the staff and employees of Hermitage Health Center for the love and care shown to Mr. Dugger and his family.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.tetrickfuneralhome.com and signing the guest book or by fax 423 542-9499. Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton is serving the family. Office 423 542-2232, obituary line 543-4917.
